Story: Record High Gas Prices Await Memorial Day Travelers, 05/26/04
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june04/oil_5-26.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. How might increasing gasoline prices affect the economy?

2. What affects the price of gasoline?

3. Is Iraq a major oil producing country?

4. How might rising gas prices affect individual Americans?

5. What is OPEC and how does it manipulate gasoline prices?

6. What might people do to save money on gas?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Research OPEC and how its activities affect the oil industry? Why might the organization decide to decrease its oil output? How does lower oil production benefit its member countries?

2. What are the political ramifications of high gasoline prices? Can high gas prices affect the outcome of the November presidential election? What do you think Pres. George Bush should do, if anything, to remedy the situation?

3. What kind of car do you or your parents drive? How many miles to the gallon does it get? Do you think your car helps the environment by using less gas or contributes to the high demand for oil?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.